Search

The need for a safe, stable, and suitable place of residence is fundamental for human beings. Nevertheless, having such a place, particularly in a city, remains unattainable for too many people. This study aims to examine how “the others” are metaphorically represented in contemporary South Korean films that portray city dwellers struggling to find a place of residence in urban areas and fighting for their existence. The multimodal analysis of conceptual metaphors enabled us to comprehend how the metaphor of EXISTENCE IS A LOCATION emphasized the significance of physical space for one’s being. Furthermore, the vertical movements in visual representations, such as GOOD IS UP, BAD IS DOWN, connect to more abstract meanings of precarious existence, social hierarchy, and otherness.

Synonymous mutations, which do not alter the protein sequence, have been shown to affect protein function [Sauna ZE, Kimchi-Sarfaty C (2011) Nat Rev Genet 12(10):683-691]. However, synonymous mutations are rarely investigated in the cancer genomics field. We used whole-genome and -exome sequencing to identify somatic mutations in 29 melanoma samples. Validation of one synonymous somatic mutation in BCL2L12 in 285 samples identified 12 cases that harbored the recurrent F17F mutation. This mutation led to increased BCL2L12 mRNA and protein levels because of differential targeting of WT and mutant BCL2L12 by hsa-miR-671-5p. Protein made from mutant BCL2L12 transcript bound p53, inhibited UV-induced apoptosis more efficiently than WT BCL2L12, and reduced endogenous p53 target gene transcription. This report shows selection of a recurrent somatic synonymous mutation in cancer. Our data indicate that silent alterations have a role to play in human cancer, emphasizing the importance of their investigation in future cancer genome studies.

The need for a safe, stable, and suitable place of residence is fundamental for human beings. Nevertheless, having such a place, particularly in a city, remains unattainable for too many people. This study aims to examine how “the others” are metaphorically represented in contemporary South Korean films that portray city dwellers struggling to find a place of residence in urban areas and fighting for their existence. The multimodal analysis of conceptual metaphors enabled us to comprehend how the metaphor of EXISTENCE IS A LOCATION emphasized the significance of physical space for one’s being. Furthermore, the vertical movements in visual representations, such as GOOD IS UP, BAD IS DOWN, connect to more abstract meanings of precarious existence, social hierarchy, and otherness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper takes a multimodal approach to analyze both linguistic and non-linguistic resources represented in a Korean program, The Hymn of Death (2018), with an aim to discover how a multimodal discourse reshapes the way we perceive our society, especially women. The backdrop of this series is set in the 1920s in Korea. This period represents a transition toward modernity in which women were given the opportunity to study and work. This small group of young women were called 'new women.' With male-centered thumbnails and descriptions which are interlaced together in each episode, The Hymn of Death exhibits the patriarchal culture at the time when a new woman remains absent or invisible as an other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three types of DNA methyl modifications have been detected in bacterial genomes, and mechanistic studies have demonstrated roles for DNA methylation in physiological functions ranging from phage defense to transcriptional control of virulence and host-pathogen interactions. Despite the ubiquity of methyltransferases and the immense variety of possible methylation patterns, epigenomic diversity remains unexplored for most bacterial species. Members of the Bacteroides fragilis group (BFG) reside in the human gastrointestinal tract as key players in symbiotic communities but also can establish anaerobic infections that are increasingly multi-drug resistant. In this work, we utilize long-read sequencing technologies to perform pangenomic (n = 383) and panepigenomic (n = 268) analysis of clinical BFG isolates cultured from infections seen at the NIH Clinical Center over four decades. Our analysis reveals that single BFG species harbor hundreds of DNA methylation motifs, with most individual motif combinations occurring uniquely in single isolates, implying immense unsampled methylation diversity within BFG epigenomes. Mining of BFG genomes identified more than 6000 methyltransferase genes, approximately 1000 of which were associated with intact prophages. Network analysis revealed substantial gene flow among disparate phage genomes, implying a role for genetic exchange between BFG phages as one of the ultimate sources driving BFG epigenome diversity. Here, Tisza, Dekker, and colleagues perform large scale analysis of genome methylation in the gut commensal and pathogen, Bacteroides fragilis group, revealing immense methyl motif diversity and evidence of widespread methyltransferase exchange among phages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Author(s): The ENCODE Project Consortium; Analysis Coordination; Ewan Birney (corresponding author) [1]; John A. Stamatoyannopoulos (corresponding author) [2]; Anindya Dutta (corresponding author) [3]; Roderic Guigó (corresponding author) [4, 5]; Thomas [...]

To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0012-1606(02)00032-5 Byline: Thomas M Brodigan (a), J.i Liu (b), Morgan Park (a), Edward T Kipreos (b), Michael Krause (a) Keywords: Cyclin; cye-1; Cyclin-dependent kinase; Expression Abstract: Our interest in the coordination of cell cycle control and differentiation has led us to investigate the Caenorhabditis elegans cye-1 gene encoding the G.sub.1 cell cycle regulator cyclin E. We have studied the expression and function of cye-1 by using monoclonal antibodies directed against CYE-1 protein, cye-1::GFP reporter genes, and a cye-1 chromosomal deletion mutation. We show that a ubiquitous embryonic pattern of expression becomes restricted and dynamic during postembryonic development. Promoter analysis reveals a relatively small region of cis-acting sequences that are necessary for the complex pattern of expression of this gene. Our studies demonstrate that two other G.sub.1 cell cycle genes, encoding cyclin D and CDK4/6, have similarly compact promoter requirements. This suggests that a relatively simple mechanism of regulation may underlie the dynamic developmental patterns of expression exhibited by these three G.sub.1 cell cycle genes. Our analysis of a new cye-1 deletion allele confirms and extends previous studies of two point mutations in the gene. Author Affiliation: (a) Laboratory of Molecular Biology, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA (b) Department of Cellular Biology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA Article History: Received 1 August 2002; Revised 23 October 2002; Accepted 30 October 2002

The Drosophila melanogaster seminal fluid protein, Acp26Aa, is essential for the processing of Acp26Aa in the female genital tract and structurally represents a prohormone. Sequential proteolytic cleavage occur in the mated female during the processing, but no processing is observed during ectopic expression of Acp26Aa in the absence of mating. For proper processing function in the mated female, activities must be provided from the male.

Abstract Background Calcium-activated photoproteins are luciferase variants found in photocyte cells of bioluminescent jellyfish (Phylum Cnidaria) and comb jellies (Phylum Ctenophora). The complete genomic sequence from the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi, a representative of the earliest branch of animals that emit light, provided an opportunity to examine the genome of an organism that uses this class of luciferase for bioluminescence and to look for genes involved in light reception. To determine when photoprotein genes first arose, we examined the genomic sequence from other early-branching taxa. We combined our genomic survey with gene trees, developmental expression patterns, and functional protein assays of photoproteins and opsins to provide a comprehensive view of light production and light reception in Mnemiopsis. Results The Mnemiopsis genome has 10 full-length photoprotein genes situated within two genomic clusters with high sequence conservation that are maintained due to strong purifying selection and concerted evolution. Photoprotein-like genes were also identified in the genomes of the non-luminescent sponge Amphimedon queenslandica and the non-luminescent cnidarian Nematostella vectensis, and phylogenomic analysis demonstrated that photoprotein genes arose at the base of all animals. Photoprotein gene expression in Mnemiopsis embryos begins during gastrulation in migrating precursors to photocytes and persists throughout development in the canals where photocytes reside. We identified three putative opsin genes in the Mnemiopsis genome and show that they do not group with well-known bilaterian opsin subfamilies. Interestingly, photoprotein transcripts are co-expressed with two of the putative opsins in developing photocytes. Opsin expression is also seen in the apical sensory organ. We present evidence that one opsin functions as a photopigment in vitro, absorbing light at wavelengths that overlap with peak photoprotein light emission, raising the hypothesis that light production and light reception may be functionally connected in ctenophore photocytes. We also present genomic evidence of a complete ciliary phototransduction cascade in Mnemiopsis. Conclusions This study elucidates the genomic organization, evolutionary history, and developmental expression of photoprotein and opsin genes in the ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi, introduces a novel dual role for ctenophore photocytes in both bioluminescence and phototransduction, and raises the possibility that light production and light reception are linked in this early-branching non-bilaterian animal.

Minority populations have lower rates of advance care planning (ACP) than the general population. Faith community nurses (FCNs) can facilitate ACP training to improve end-of-life care outcomes for patients and caregivers. A nurseled ACP training delivered to a primarily Korean American faith community increased the number of families who discussed end-of-life care values and wishes. Considerations for ACP outreach to Korean Americans and implications for FCNs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Our goal was to perform detailed clinical and genomic analysis of a large multigenerational Chinese family with 21 individuals showing symptoms of Familial Cortical Myoclonic Tremor with Epilepsy (FCMTE) that we have followed for over 20 years. Methods: Patients were subjected to clinical evaluation, routine EEG, and structural magnetic resonance imaging. Whole exome sequencing, repeat‐primed PCR, long‐range PCR, and PacBio sequencing were performed to characterize the disease‐causing mutation in this family. Results: All evaluated patients manifested adult‐onset seizures and presented with progressive myoclonic postural tremors starting after the third or fourth decade of life. Seizures typically diminished markedly in frequency with implementation of antiseizure medications but did not completely cease. The electroencephalogram of affected individuals showed generalized or multifocal spikes and slow wave complexes. An expansion of TTTTA motifs with addition of TTTCA motifs in intron 4 of SAMD12 was identified to segregate with the disease phenotype in this family. Furthermore, we found that the mutant allele is unstable and can undergo both contraction and expansion by changes in the number of repeat motifs each time it is passed to the next generation. The size of mutant allele varied from 5 to 5.5 kb with 549‐603 copies of TTTTA and 287‐343 copies of TTTCA repeat motifs in this family. Significance: Our study provides a detailed description of clinical progression of FCMTE symptoms and its management with antiseizure medications. Our method of repeat analysis by PacBio sequencing of long‐range PCR products does not require high‐quality DNA and hence can be easily applied to other families to elucidate any correlation between the repeat size and phenotypic variables, such as, age of onset, and severity of symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]